Bulk billing cuts set to cost people’s health

MACKAY pathologist Kunawut Limarporn has spoken out against the Federal Government's $650million cuts to bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging services.

The Sullivan Nicolaides pathologist said if patients had to pay for pathology services out-of-pocket, they'd delay getting pap smears, melanoma checks and other early detection screenings that save lives.

Mr Limarporn trained in medicine and pathology in Thailand, then retrained in pathology in Brisbane.

He said early detection subsidies in Australia were effective in preventing diseases getting to advanced stages.

"In Thailand, we don't have that (bulk billing) service," he said.

"A lot of patients turn up to the hospital with advanced disease, it costs more to the government to provide chemotherapy, radiation therapy."

Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley announced in December the Federal Government would be cutting all bulk billing incentives to pathology providers - a total saving of $650million over four years.

During a visit to Mackay, Senator Jan McLucas said pathology providers would pass that cost onto patients.

"If a person is diagnosed with breast cancer, they face up to $550 in new up-front costs, that's what you've got to have in your pocket before you go and have the pathology imaging done," she said.

"The trouble about that is - if that woman can't find that (money), what does she do?"

Senator McLucas said over the past 15 years, an increase of early detection had caused the breast cancer cure rate to rise.

"Very few people die from breast cancer these days," she said.

"We are saving so many lives through mammograms and biopsies," she said.

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said the government was "taking money off pathology companies, not patients".

"It was the previous government that gave these extra payments to pathology companies, and they did it on the basis that they wanted to see an increase in bulk billing," he said.

"What's ended up happening is that pathology companies have not increased their rate of bulk billing, they've just taken that money from the government and put it in their pockets."

Mr Christensen said it would be the fault of pathology companies - not government - if costs were passed onto patients.

"That will be their choice, and it should not be their choice," he said.

The changes to bulk billing incentives will be effective from July 1, this year.

Mackay residents shared their opinions on the Daily Mercury Facebook page, with some saying they agreed people would put off the important health checks if they weren't bulk billed.

Sian Barlow said, "I have to have blood tests every week to a fortnight to keep a check on my INR levels due to having blood clots in my lungs, if I have to pay for the tests I won't be getting it checked as often as I won't be able to afford it."

Dianne Miller Hunt said her health would be affected too.

"I have had so many tests lately due to breast cancer and this is an ongoing thing and will be for a long time as there is only one working in the family," she said. "The pay does not cover doctors or tests so I suppose a lot of people will die."

Rebecca May Harrison said a lot of people would be put off. "I have already put off getting a melanoma check because no one bulk bills anymore," she said. "And I put off seeing the doctor as well because no one in Mackay bulk bills unless you're on Centrelink."

Kealie Frerichs said "I delay them already as it's $85 just to see the doc."